02/28, 8:40am

Download and keep YouTube videos with this simple app

The newly-updated Airy - YouTube Downloader for Mac does what almost every word in its title says. It downloads YouTube videos, it runs on a Mac. Run this, grab a YouTube video, and save it to your Mac to watch later. It's so simple, you'll be surprised YouTube itself doesn't come with this functionality.

02/11, 8:05am

Trademark suggests Microsoft considering more subscription services

Microsoft may be considering a future change to a subscription-based version of Windows, according to reports. A trademark filing for "Windows 365," mirroring the Office 365 branding, strongly suggests the software giant is looking to possibly charging a regular fee to consumers for the operating system or some specific functionality, rather than using the current one-time payment system used for major version upgrades.

01/23, 5:58pm

Microsoft has made the latest version of its Windows 10 Technical Preview available to download by the participants of the Windows Insider program. The update introduces some of major features shown off during this week's Windows 10 event, with the Spartan browser and the Xbox One game streaming expected to arrive in Insider builds closer to launch.

01/23, 7:18am

Full upgrade to Windows 10 not available for Windows RT devices

Owners of the Microsoft Surface will not receive the full upgrade to Windows 10, but will still benefit from some updates, a report claims. While Microsoft will be making the next version of its operating system available to systems running Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, including the Surface Pro range, the Windows RT-based Surface will be missing out.

01/21, 3:53pm

Windows 10 device intended to simplify conferencing, communications

Microsoft's Surface ecosystem didn't get left behind in today's Windows 10 event. Unveiled at the media event was the Microsoft Surface Hub, which is either a 55- or 84-inch 4K display, utilizing a custom Windows 10 version, featuring touch and stylus input with voice and gesture controls.

01/21, 2:27pm

Seven-year project integrated into Windows 10, release not imminent

Microsoft pulled the veil off of a project that it claims has been running for years -- Microsoft Hologram. The project, consisting of a new Hololens headset, aims to integrate Microsoft Windows in both a virtual reality and augmented reality system. Additionally, the company announced that every Windows 10 device will support the system in some way, with the API on every device. As expected, details are scant.

01/21, 2:19pm

Xbox One will stream gameplay to Windows 10 devices

Microsoft's gaming ambitions will involve a new app for Windows 10, among other items, Xbox chief Phil Spencer has revealed. The Xbox app will be available on every PC and tablet running Windows 10, providing not only the usual social features already offered to Xbox One users, but also the Game DVR video creation and sharing function.

01/21, 7:37am

HP Pro Slate 12, 8 include ultrasound-based Duet Pen stylus input

HP added a large number of tablets to its arsenal, running on Android and Windows. The main launches from the collection are two Android tablets, with the Pro Slate 12 and the Pro Slate 8 both equipped with the Duet Pen, an accessory using Qualcomm's ultrasound technology that lets the user write anywhere nearby and have the text appearing on the tablet automatically.

01/15, 9:26am

Xiaomi launches compact Mi Box mini media streamer in China

Xiaomi has introduced a new compact media streamer in China. The Mi Box mini is a power adapter-sized device containing a quad-core 1.2GHz Cortex-A7 processor from MediaTek, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of storage, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a HDMI 1.4a output capable of showing 3D video at 1080p. While it offers DTS 2.0 and Dolby Digital Plus audio processing and has a Bluetooth remote control, it does not include any options to increase the storage or connect over Ethernet or USB. Shipping from January 27, the Mi Box mini is priced at 199 RMB ($32).

01/13, 1:21pm

Security patches for Windows 7 will continue until January 2020

Microsoft is ending its "mainstream support" for Windows 7 today. The January 13 end date for the support, across all versions of Windows 7, means that from tomorrow onwards Microsoft will not be offering free support for issues with the operating system, though the company will be offering chargeable "extended support" until January 14, 2020.

01/12, 11:18am

Google reveals Windows flaw despite Microsoft request to wait

Microsoft is asking for the online security community to better coordinate on the disclosure of vulnerabilities in code, after a publication of a flaw in Windows 8.1 by Google. The search company released details about the vulnerability in the operating system yesterday as part of Project Zero, two days before Microsoft was to offer up a fix in its well-known Patch Tuesday schedule.

01/05, 2:04am

Unless you are a supremely-gifted photographer with a bucketful of top camera gear, you may often find yourself wishing a shot you had taken could be sharper, clearer, or otherwise "better," and are always looking for an app that can deliver this magic to your pictures consistently. Honest to gosh, we think we've found it -- or at least, pretty darn close. The program is called Perfectly Clear by Athentech, it's available as a mobile app or a plug-in for Photoshop or Lightroom, and -- we kid you not -- it's like Windex for most photos.

01/04, 3:41pm

China-manufactured device echoes Apple design clues, brings Bay Trail

Knockoffs of popular products aren't uncommon in overseas markets, but its not often that a knockoff has altered functionality in a way that looks good, at least on paper. Chinese company Onda has released the V919 3G Air -- a clear iPad Air design clone, but one that runs both Android and full Windows 8.1 on a single device rather than iOS -- an ability that was promised at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show by many Android or Windows tablet manufacturers, but which never materialized.

01/02, 8:03pm

Group and compress files for easy sending and storage

Curiously, Stuffit Deluxe was the king of compression -- or at least serious monarchy -- back when our files were always minuscule anyway. It was when hard disks were measured in megabytes instead of terabytes, and a large file was one that filled a floppy disk. Now that we routinely fling around gigabytes of files and complain when we can't just email a feature film to someone, Stuffit Deluxe could be making a comeback with the new version 16.

12/26, 9:58am

Diminutive scanner purports to allow computer-free scanning

Sometimes, people need to scan things, but having a computer at hand to do so isn't exactly feasible. Maybe it's the home of a relative that lives on the outskirts of civilization with no Internet, looking to organize family photos. Maybe it's an office filing room that's too small to set up shop. Maybe it's the cabin of an airplane, and a traveler just wants to scan a page from Skymall. In this situation, the solution is generally to move items that need to be scanned to a location that has a scanner. With DoxieGo by Apparent, users don't have to worry about transportation; they can just throw the scanner in their bag and go. But can this ultra-portable scanner really make life that much easier? Read our review and find out.

12/22, 6:03am

Leaked screenshot suggests LG G2 to gain Android Lollipop soon

The Android Lollipop upgrade may reach the LG G2, if a leaked screenshot is to be believed. According toTuttoAndroid, the screenshot is said to show the G2 as running Android 5.0.1, with part of the screenshot showing a new, flatter user interface in line with Material Design principles. No date for the update has been provided -- but if the image is genuine, it could start reaching phones as early as January next year.

12/19, 3:39pm

Platforms include iOS, Apple TV, Android, Windows

DirecTV has announced a partnership with Fox Networks, giving subscribers to the satellite-based TV service access to all the content in the Fox Now, FXNow, and Nat Geo TV apps on multiple platforms. This includes iOS, Apple TV, Android, and Windows devices. In effect, the change means that the apps have simply added DirecTV as a service authentication option, joining other TV providers such as cable operators.

12/18, 8:10pm

War games may have originated from the need to boost military logistics and planning, but they have since become popular with civilian gamers. Risk and Chess are two popular war games most people are familiar with, as are Civilization and Hearts of Iron. How does newcomer Supreme Ruler Ultimate, by Battlegoat Studios, stack up to the classics?

12/17, 11:40pm

Back in October, Microsoft launched the "Windows 10 Insider program, "where PC experts and IT Pros can get access to a technical preview of Windows 10 for desktops and laptops." As of December 17, 1.5 million users have joined the program, Microsoft has announced. In the December update for the forthcoming OS version, Microsoft's Gabe Aul said roughly 30 percent of Insiders, or 450,000 users, are "highly active" in the program.

12/17, 10:07pm

Library syncing software for iTunes packed with features at a great value

Apple's iTunes media player has been around since 2001 -- meaning that for many users, it's likely that their library has traversed multiple system upgrades, duplicating and splintering across a variety of drives and mobile devices along the way. For this, there is SuperSync, an app designed to provide access to all your music in one location, allow libraries to be accessed via the Internet, and organize multiple music libraries as to stay organized. Aimed at DJs, avid music collectors, and anyone with multiple libraries, SuperSync aims to get all your tracks in a row. Pricing is organized by license packs, starting at $23 for 2 computers. We took a look at SuperSync for ourselves, and took some of its features for a test run.

12/16, 11:19pm

Quick movie editor makes it easy to send video to social media

Try as you might, you're not going to revolutionize how video is edited: whatever application you're using, the process has been roughly the same since we ditched celluloid and razor blades. Equally, you're not likely to easily replace Apple's iMovie for ease of use, nor Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro X for high-end professionals. Movavi Video Editor, an editor for Windows that has just made the jump to OS X, definitely aims at being very simple to use -- but it's also intended for the ever-growing number of us who just want to quickly get video out to people.

12/16, 6:53pm

Arcadia project proposes to stream games from cloud servers to Windows PCs

Microsoft is allegedly experimenting with streaming apps and games to Windows machines. An internal team is said to be working on "Arcadia," a codenamed project which would let software to run from Microsoft's Azure cloud services rather than on a local machine, streaming the app or game to PC users with lower-than-average specifications.

12/15, 7:27am

Changes in appearance, new apps shown in latest Windows 10 build

More leaks for Windows 10 have surfaced, ahead of an event planned to show off the Microsoft operating system on January 21st. The latest leak of build 9901 includes a more refined design for the Cortana virtual assistant than in previous reports, with the changes accompanied by a number of other tweaks and small changes to the Windows interface.

12/13, 11:08am

Windows 7 TLS, SSL implementation fix breaks driver installations

This week's Microsoft "Patch Tuesday," the regular scheduled day for updates and bug fixes from the Redmond giant, hit a few snags. While one problematic patch to Exchange 2013 has already been retracted and re-issued, a second patch -- this one addressing SSL and TLS authentication -- has rendered many Windows Update drivers, including video card drivers from Nvidia and AMD, uninstallable on Windows 7.

12/11, 4:09pm

Bitcoin payments into Microsoft Account performed by BitPay

Microsoft is embracing Bitcoin, by allowing users of its services to pay using the cryptocurrency. US customers are able to add funds to their Microsoft Account using a Bitcoin wallet, which can then be used to may payments in the Windows, Windows Phone, and Xbox stores, as well as paying for subscriptions for Xbox Live and Xbox Music.

12/08, 6:18am

Desktop version of Cortana has similar functionality to Windows Phone version

The rumored desktop version of Microsoft's virtual assistant has allegedly resurfaced in video. A clip appears to show Cortana being used on a new build of Windows 10, and though some aspects are apparently non-functional, the video seemingly demonstrates how it could be used to contact other people, create appointments, and handle reminders.

12/07, 10:04pm

Get the Hot Pockets, there's a new Sid Meier's Civilization title out

Civilization isn't the first strategy series in video gaming, but it is probably the most enduring. Since the series' introduction in 1991, countless players have been stormed by barbarians, built the pyramids, and been nuked into oblivion (because of a coding bug) by the Indians. This year, the Firaxis-developed series launched a sequel to both Civilization V and the well-regarded Alpha Centauri in the form of Civilization: Beyond Earth available on OS X, Windows, and Linux. How many hours of your life will this one take?

11/27, 3:07pm

Report claims press event for launch taking place after CES

Microsoft may present what the final consumer version of Windows 10 will look like in late January, a report claims. The software giant is said to be holding an event towards the end of the month to showcase the consumer preview edition of the operating system, within weeks of the company presenting to attendees at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at Las Vegas.

11/27, 7:19am

Charming roguelike dungeon-clearing game brings a touch of Finnish legend to the genre

Because of the accessibility of game design tools, independently-produced games are springing up on every platform. There's certainly no shortage of dungeon crawlers, roguelikes, or turn-based strategy games today. That doesn't mean, though, that Sproggiwood, by Freehold Games, should be overlooked. This turn-based roguelike has the player explore dungeons inspired by Finnish mythology, bringing peace to the land of Sprog.

11/18, 7:45am

Frequently, players' allegiances to strategy games fall in one of two categories: either real-time strategies or tactical turn-based play. But what if there was a game that aims to please both sides? Potentially, now there is. Door Kickers, by KillHouse Games, is a real-time strategy game that gives players the ability to undergo tactical interventions while leading their own SWAT team. While the game itself is in fact a real-time strategy, the tactical elements and the ability to pause are likely to please gamers who enjoy more tactical play.

11/12, 11:32am

All versions of Windows in last 19 years affected by Secure Channel bug

A 19-year-old vulnerability has been discovered, affecting every version of Windows dating back to Windows 95. The issue, discovered in May by IBM researchers, allowed for attackers to remotely execute code when a specific webpage is visited with Internet Explorer, bypassing a number of protection mechanisms in the operating systems.

10/29, 10:13pm

Tablet follows on the 10-inch model announced early October, adds QHD display

Lenovo unveiled another addition to the Yoga line of devices, trumpeting the arrival of a larger version of the Yoga Tablet 2. The new Yoga Tablet 2 with Windows jumps up in size with the addition of a 13.3-inch quad HD display, marking a large bump from the full HD 10-inch model Lenovo announced at the beginning of October. Like other devices in the Yoga line, the 13-inch Yoga Tablet 2 features four modes for use, including stand, tilt, hold, and a new mode called hang.

10/21, 3:47pm

Fast and Slow update tiers selectable for quicker updates

Microsoft is deploying the first update to the Windows 10 preview under the Windows Insider program. Build number 9860 is headed to users overnight through Windows Update, or users can opt to immediately install it. The update weighs in at between 2GB and 2.74GB, depending on architecture, and contains some improvements and bug fixes to the pre-release operating system.

10/17, 12:58pm

Software already bundled into OS X Yosemite

Following its debut for the Mac alongside OS X Yosemite, Apple has released the Windows version of iTunes 12. The software brings with it a radically different look, borrowing design cues from Yosemite. One of the major interface changes is the relocation of categories like Music, Apps, Podcasts, and Movies to buttons in a new menu bar, where a second set of fluctuating options makes it easier to jump to associated items like playlists, app updates, a specific section of the iTunes Store, or iTunes Radio.

10/17, 10:05am

Get software and money for writing app reviews for MacNN, Electronista

MacNN and Electronista are hiring paid app reviewers! We're looking for writers who have a familiarity with and own iOS and OS X devices, with Windows and Android gear a bonus. The ideal candidate has four hours free per day, and is available five days a week of your choosing. Applicants will be expected to write two reviews of software we would provide, of approximately 400 words in length, in a daily shift. Interested? Look inside for more details.

10/14, 5:04pm

NeatDesk, iMacs and storage

Today only at BestBuy.com, take advantage of a 50 percent price break on the refurbished NeatDesk sheetfed scanner which has been slashed from $400 down to $200. That's nearly $170 less than buying it anywhere else. Free delivery is available, but sales tax applies for residents of most states. This scanner can be used to scan receipts and documents at a resolution of up to 600dpi with 48-bit depth, and it holds up to 1.5 million documents. It is compatible with Windows XP or Vista, and is backed by a six-month warranty on parts and labor from NeatDesk.

10/09, 5:18pm

Lenovo announced a new slate of Yoga tablets and ultrabooks today, beginning with two Yoga 2 tablet models and a Yoga 3 Pro convertible PC. Each of the new machines fit different consumer needs, from the Yoga 3 Pro "ultra slim" PC with attached keyboard or the Yoga 2 tablets that are powered by either Windows 8 or Android.

10/07, 6:37pm

Squarespace has announced the release of Squarespace 7, a major platform update comprised of new features and integrations. Squarespace provides tools for Web and mobile content creation, and the latest release aims to improve upon the rebuilt codebase of Squarespace 6. Using a new visual language, according to its Frequently Asked Questions page, Squarespace 7's icons and buttons are now clearer, simpler and more intuitive.

10/06, 8:14pm

During Adobe Max, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen took to the stage to announce a partnership between the two companies. The focus of the development partnership is to improve Creative Cloud offerings for Windows platforms, optimizing them for touch, starting with applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects and Premiere Pro.

10/01, 6:53am

Cortana, Microsoft's voice-controlled virtual assistant from Windows Phone 8.1, may appear in the final retail release of Windows 10, according to a report. Though it was not demonstrated during the Windows launch event yesterday, it is claimed Microsoft is actively testing the feature in internal builds of the operating system.

09/30, 2:04pm

Windows 10 reintroduces Start Menu, lessens Live Tile use

Microsoft has formally announced the latest iteration of its computer operating system at its media event, but it isn't named Windows 9. The incoming Windows 10, set to be made available to users next year, is being billed by the company as the "most comprehensive platform ever," with the software expected to run on the broadest range of device types, including computers, mobile devices, and the "Internet of Things" ecosystem.

09/29, 7:04am

The next version of Windows may be a free upgrade for some Windows users, numerous reports claim. The software, potentially called Windows 9 and codenamed "Threshold," may end up being offered to owners of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, though users of earlier operating system iterations are likely to be required to pay for the upgrade.

09/24, 11:01am

Chromebook, Mac gains come at expense of still-dominant Windows

During the span between July 4 and Labor Day -- the peak of the back-to-school shopping season -- Macs accounted for 26.8 percent of all US computer sales, according to NPD tracking data. That amount is a 14 percent increase year-over-year, and contrasts with a three percent dip for Windows PCs. Windows remains the leading computer platform, however, with 68.4 percent of the market.

09/18, 3:07pm

Former gets Windows users iCloud Drive ahead of Macs

Apple has issued v4.0 of iCloud for Windows, the client needed for Windows users to sync content such as email, bookmarks, and photos with iCloud. The v4.0 software is a major update, bringing support for iCloud Drive, Apple's Dropbox-like file storage service. Significantly, this means that Windows users are getting access to the feature ahead of Mac owners. It first became an option with iOS 8's debut on Wednesday, but won't hit OS X until Yosemite appears at some point in the next month.

09/15, 6:32pm

Event to give insight into what is to come for Windows, enterprise users

Microsoft started circling invites today for an event that it's holding later this month. The September 30 event plans to give attendees a chance to see what is coming down the pipe for enterprise and Windows, but offers no specific information on what the event will entail. The Vergepreviously reported that a press event on the announced date would be used to unveil Windows 9 according to sources close to the matter.

09/15, 5:16am

Kickstarter RTS game Planetary Annihilation shows considerable polish

In August 2012, a team from Uber Entertainment launched a kickStarter campaign, aiming to raise $900,000 to make a new real-time strategy game called Planetary Annihilation. After two years of work and raising over $2.2 million, as well as other funds via "early access," the game is finally released outside of beta, and gamers can finally try out what backers have been playing for some time during the game's development.

09/11, 2:14pm

New screenshots reportedly reveal multiple changes in Windows 9

The next version of Windows has apparently leaked yet again, with a new collection of screenshots surfacing. Believed to depict the Windows 9 Technical Preview, the images show a number of previously-rumored features which will probably appear in the preview version, expected to be released to developers within the next few weeks.

09/02, 6:57am

Weibo posting about Windows 9 Start Menu quickly pulled from view

Microsoft's Chinese business arm may have jumped the gun, by mistakenly promoting Windows 9 too early. The company's regional Weibo account reportedly put an image up promoting the next iteration of Microsoft's operating system along with a question hinting at the Start Menu, a posting which has since been removed from view.

08/28, 11:29am

App crackdown part of Microsoft Windows Store certification changes

Microsoft is cleaning up its Windows Store catalog, by ejecting misleading apps. After modifying the Windows Store app certification requirements to try and prevent fake apps from reaching the app store in the first place, the company has started to comb through its app listings, and has already removed more than 1,500 apps from the store.

08/27, 11:05am

Also gains new Text and Shape Cutter tools, Smart Edges

Corel has released PaintShop Pro X7, a major upgrade of its photo-editing suite. The biggest addition is said to be Magic Fill, a Photoshop-like "content-aware" tool that can erase an object and replace it with content that matches the background, even if that background is varied. Several other tools have also been added, including Text and Shape Cutters -- used to create objects based on underlying images -- and Smart Edge, which prevents brush strokes from crossing lines.